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The Inspection Panel on May 20, 2020, hosted a virtual discussion on the challenges of implementing biodiversity offsets in development.

Inspection Panel Chair Imrana Jalal moderated the 90-minute discussion with World Bank Executive Director Anne Kabagambe; International Rivers Policy Director Josh Klemm; George Ledec, who recently retired as lead ecologist at the World Bank; and registered natural scientist Susie Brownlie, who served as an expert consultant on a recent Panel investigation related to the Kalagala Offset Area in Uganda.

Among the issues discussed were when should biodiversity offsets be used, how the World Bank can ensure that the lessons from the Kalagala case will improve is practice and approach to offsets in the future, and the significance of moving from the Bank’s Policy on Natural Habitats to the new Environmental and Social Standard 6 on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources.

More than 300 people from 16 countries viewed the discussion on YouTube.

The discussion coincided with the publication of the latest report in the Inspection Panel’s Emerging Lesson Series. The report provides insights into the use of biodiversity offsets based on three Panel investigations related to the Kalagala offset associated with Bujagali Power Project. The report is available on the Panel’s website and can be accessed by clicking here.

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